Nectarine tree named &#39;SWEET REI&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine ( Prunus persica  (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid.) denominated ‘SWEET REI’, characterized by being late-maturing, having high Brix and relatively low acidity white flesh, excellent eating quality fruit, being easy to eat because of its freestone fruit, having an attractive dark-red fruit skin color, and no deterioration of eating quality of fruit even after storage for two weeks in a refrigerator.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid.

Variety denomination: ‘SWEET REI’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Japanese Plant Variety Registration Application No. 33273 filed on Jul. 23, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid.), which has been given the variety denomination ‘SWEET REI’. This novel variety was found by natural hybridization of the seed parent variety ‘SWEET VENUS’ (Japanese Plant Variety Registration No. 12301, registered on Nov. 8, 2004), in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan.

This new white nectarine produces fruits, which are late-maturing, having high brix and relatively low acidity white flesh as well as attractive dark-red skin color, excellent eating quality, and are easy to eat because of its freestone flesh.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

As stated above, the new variety of white nectarine ‘SWEET REI’ was obtained from natural hybridization of ‘SWEET VENUS’ (Japanese Plant Variety Registration No. 12301, registered on Nov. 8, 2004), the seed parent of the present variety, in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan, where it was tested.

In 2011, ‘SWEET VENUS’ was open-pollinated in the inventor's orchard in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan, and 10 of its natural hybrid seeds were seeded and the resultant seedlings were grown at the orchard.

Five (5) germinated seedlings of the above-obtained seedlings were further grown, and the first fruits were observed in 2013. Among the 5 trees from the germinated seedlings, the inventor selected one tree as a mother tree because of its characteristics as having high brix (sweet) and relatively low acidity, excellent eating quality, and easy to eat fruits. In 2014, the second generation of the mother tree was grown by asexual reproduction by grafting onto a wild white-flowered peach tree rootstock (non-patented, being indigenous on a mountain in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan), and the observation of the characteristics of the second generation tree was started. The asexually propagated tree remained true to the original tree (i.e., mother tree), and all characteristics of the tree and fruits of the mother tree were transmitted. In 2017, this new variety was denominated by the inventor as ‘SWEET REI’.

The above-identified mother tree and the second generation tree of ‘SWEET REI’ have been maintained in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new white nectarine variety ‘SWEET REI’ exhibits outstanding and distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal nectarine cultivation practices, including:

-   -   (1) high brix (Brix 15 to 17 degree), relatively low acidity,         and white flesh fruit;     -   (2) excellent eating quality fruit;     -   (3) being easy to eat because of its freestone fruit;     -   (4) attractive dark-red fruit skin color; and     -   (5) no deterioration of eating quality of fruit even after         storage for two weeks in a refrigerator.

The fruit of ‘SWEET REI’ is suitable for fruit gift, such as fruits gift box or fruits basket, since it has attractive dark-red skin color as well as excellent eating quality, and is easy to eat because of its freestone flesh.

In addition, since the fruit of ‘SWEET REI’ has high brix and relatively low acidity, it can also be used for preparation of processed fruits, such as fruit cake, fruit jelly, canned fruits, fruit juice and fruit jam.

For reliable description, the characteristics of ‘SWEET REI’ are described as compared to those of the yellow nectarine variety ‘SWEET VENUS’ (the seed parent of the present variety, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid.) and the representative variety of white peach, ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), in the attached Table of Characteristics.

As stated herein below and described in the attached Table of Characteristics, ‘SWEET REI’ has apparently different characteristics from those of the variety ‘SWEET VENUS’ and the variety ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’.

‘SWEET REI’ clearly differs from its seed parent variety ‘SWEET VENUS’, which has yellow, relatively firm and clingstone fruits, in that ‘SWEET REI’ has dark-red fruit skin color, white fruit flesh, and relatively soft, freestone and easy to eat fruit. Moreover, since ‘SWEET REI’ needs not being grown under plastic cover, its cultivation is easier than that of ‘SWEET VENUS’, which needs to be plastic covered.

In addition, ‘SWEET REI’ clearly differs from the representative variety of white peach ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’, which has Brix 13 degree, in that ‘SWEET REI’ has higher Brix (Brix 15 to 17 degree).

‘SWEET REI’ is in fact outstanding and readily identified as being such.

It should be noted that the plant age of all the plants of ‘SWEET REI’, which were observed and photographed for botanical description, was 3 years (except for the 7-year-old mother tree of ‘SWEET REI’ in FIG. 21).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new white nectarine variety is illustrated by the accompanying digital color photographs, depicting defining characteristics of the plant by the best possible color photography. Colors of foliage, flowers, fruits and other plant parts may vary from year to year depending on, among other factors, nectarine cultivation practices, light conditions, air temperature, soil fertility, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates a whole fruit of ‘SWEET REI’ fruiting on a tree (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 2 illustrates apexes of 6 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Aug. 31, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 3 illustrates lateral view of 6 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Aug. 31, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 4 illustrates stalk cavity of 6 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Aug. 31, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 5 illustrates 4 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’; 2 bagged fruits (left) and 2 not bagged fruits (right) (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 6 illustrates 4 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (left), ‘SWEET VENUS’ (middle) and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (right), respectively (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’, ‘SWEET VENUS’ and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 7 illustrates longitudinal section view of fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Aug. 31, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 8 illustrates cross section view of 4 fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ (left), ‘SWEET VENUS’ (middle) and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (right), respectively (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’, ‘SWEET VENUS’ and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 9 illustrates 10 flowers of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 10 illustrates 10 flowers of ‘SWEET REI’ (5 flowers before fertilization (upper) and 5 flowers with fertilized ovule (lower)) (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 11 illustrates 4 flowers of ‘SWEET REI’ (left), ‘SWEET VENUS’ (middle) and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (right), respectively (2 flowers before fertilization (upper) and 2 flowers with fertilized ovule (lower), respectively) (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’, ‘SWEET VENUS’ and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 12 illustrates a close-up longitudinal section view of a flower of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 13 illustrates a close-up longitudinal section view of a flower of ‘SWEET VENUS’ (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 14 illustrates a close-up longitudinal section view of a flower of ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 15 illustrates 10 flower petals of ‘SWEET REI’ (upper), ‘SWEET VENUS’ (middle) and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (bottom), respectively (photographed date: Apr. 10, 2018; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’, ‘SWEET VENUS’ and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 16 illustrates a branch of ‘SWEET REI’ with a number of leaves (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 17 illustrates a branch of ‘SWEET VENUS’ with a number of leaves (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET VENUS’: 3 years).

FIG. 18 illustrates a branch of ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ with a number of leaves (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 19 illustrates 10 leaves of ‘SWEET REI’ (5 upper surface of leaves (upper) and 5 lower surface of leaves (lower)) (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 3 years).

FIG. 20 illustrates 4 leaves of ‘SWEET REI’ (left), ‘SWEET VENUS’ (middle) and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’ (right), respectively (2 upper surface of leaves (left), and 2 lower surface of leaves (right), respectively) (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Higashine-city, Yamagata-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’, ‘SWEET VENUS’ and ‘Kawanakajimahakuto’: 3 years).

FIG. 21 illustrates a whole mother tree of ‘SWEET REI’ (photographed date: Sep. 1, 2017; photographed location: Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan; and the age of photographed ‘SWEET REI’: 7 years).

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of white nectarine, its tree, flower, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 3 year old specimens grown in Tsukidate-cho, Date-city, Fukushima-prefecture, Japan, with color in accordance with The R.H.S. Colour Chart 2015.

-   1. Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium (3 year old tree: Height: 2.5 to 3 m; Width:             3.5 to 4 m).         -   Vigor.—Medium vigorous.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright. -   2. Shoot:     -   -   Anthocyanin coloration of the first-year flowering shoot             (excluding brindille), side away from sun.—Absent.         -   Intensity of anthocyanin coloration of the first-year             flowering shoot (excluding brindilles), side away from             sun.—Weak. -   3. Leaves:     -   -   Time of leaf bud burst.—Medium, around March 25 (3 year old             tree).         -   Leaf blade length.—Average length 18.61 cm.         -   Leaf blade width.—Average width 3.71 cm.         -   Leaf blade ratio of length/width.—Large (average 5.02).         -   Leaf blade shape in cross section.—Flat.         -   Recurvature of leaf blade apex.—Absent.         -   Shape (angle) at base of leaf blade.—Acute.         -   Shape (angle) at apex of leaf blade.—Medium.         -   Color of upper surface of mature leaf blade.—Dark Green (RHS             Code: 136A).         -   Color of lower surface of mature leaf blade.—Strong Yellow             Green (RHS Code: 144A).         -   Red mid-vein on lower surface of mature leaf blade.—Absent.         -   Petiole length.—Average length 1.34 cm.         -   Nectaries on petiole of leaf.—Present.         -   Shape of nectaries on petiole of leaf.—Rounded and reniform.         -   Predominant number of nectaries on petiole of leaf.—More             than two. -   4. Flower buds:     -   -   Density of flower buds on the first-year flowering             shoot.—Dense.         -   General distribution of flower buds on the first-year             flowering shoot.—Distributed in groups of two or more. -   5. Flowers:     -   -   Flower type.—Showy.         -   Calyx color of inner side (opened flower, before falling of             petals).—Strong Yellowish Green (RHS Code: N144A).         -   Corolla: predominant color (inner side).—Light Purplish pink             (RHS Code: 65B).         -   Petal shape.—Rounded shaped.         -   Petal size.—Average size 3.27 cm².         -   Petal number per flower.—Five.         -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Medium, around April 12 (3             year old tree).         -   Duration of flowering.—Medium around April 12 to around             April 24 (3 year old tree). -   6. Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens position compared to petals.—Below.         -   Sigma position compared to anthers.—Above.         -   Pollen in anthers.—Present.         -   Pubescence on ovary.—Absent. -   7. Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size (weight).—Medium, Average weight: 208.7 g.         -   Fruit shape in ventral view.—Oblate.         -   Fruit shape of pistil end.—Weakly depressed.         -   Fruit symmetry viewed from pistil end.—Asymmetric.         -   Fruit: prominence of suture.—Medium.         -   Fruit: depth of stalk cavity.—Medium, Average depth: 1.3 cm.         -   Fruit: width of stalk cavity.—Medium.         -   Fruit: ground color of fruit skin.—Light Yellow Green (RHS             Code: 154D).         -   Presence or absence of over color of fruit skin.—Present.         -   Fruit: hue of over color of fruit skin.—Dark Red (RHS Code:             59A).         -   Fruit: pattern of over color of fruit skin.—Mottled.         -   Fruit: extent of over color of fruit skin.—Medium.         -   Pubescence on fruit.—Absent.         -   Fruit: density of pubescence.—Very sparse.         -   Fruit: thickness of skin.—Thin.         -   Fruit: adherence of skin to flesh.—Strong.         -   Fruit: firmness of flesh.—Medium.         -   Fruit: ground color of fruit flesh.—Yellowish White (RHS             Code: 155B).         -   Fruit: anthocyanin coloration directly under fruit             skin.—Absent or very weakly expressed.         -   Fruit: anthocyanin coloration of fruit flesh.—Absent or very             weakly expressed.         -   Fruit: anthocyanin coloration around stone.—Strongly             expressed.         -   Fruit: texture of fruit flesh.—Not fibrous.         -   Fruit sweetness.—High, Brix 15 to 17 degree.         -   Fruit acidity.—Medium.         -   Time of maturity for consumption.—Late, around late August.         -   Tendency to preharvest drop.—Weak. -   8. Stone:     -   -   Stone: size compared to fruit (ratio weight of stone/weight             of fruit).—Small.         -   Stone shape in lateral view.—Obovate.         -   Stone: intensity of brown color.—Dark.         -   Stone: relief of surface.—Pits and grooves.         -   Stone: tendency of splitting (at peak harvest)).—Medium.         -   Stone: presence or absence of adherence to fruit             flesh.—Absent.         -   Stone: degree of adherence to flesh.—Weak. -   9. Others:     -   -   Use.—The fruit of ‘SWEET REI’ is suitable for fruit gift,             such as fruits gift box or fruits basket, since it has             attractive dark-red fruit skin color as well as excellent             eating quality, and is easy to eat because of its freestone             flesh. In addition, due to its high brix and relatively low             acidity, fruits of ‘SWEET REI’ can also be used for             preparation of processed fruits, such as fruit cake, fruit             jelly, canned fruits, fruit juice and fruit jam.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit of ‘SWEET REI’ have a             slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the tree after             growth completion (before harvesting) and after harvesting             without alteration. After harvest, fruits are well preserved             around 2 weeks, at around 4.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruits of ‘SWEET             REI’ showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage             after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing             procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and             packing and its long shelf life without alteration after             harvest easily permit around 2 weeks-shipping, at around 4.0             degrees Celsius.

VII. Table of Characteristics (Table of Characteristics) ↓Sweet Rei ↓Sweet venue ↓Kawanakajimahakuto Sweet Rei Sweet venue (Kawanakajimahatatto) Characteristics(Characteristics) State (State) Character No UPOV No. Symbol (Japanese) (English) Definition Method Grade (Japanese) (English) Example Variety (Ex. Var.) Remarks  1 1(*) QNG Tree: size Tree: size Size of whole tree Observation 1 very small very small Silver Prolific 3 small small Mizuno nectarine 5 medium medium Kawanakajimahakuto, 5 6 Mizuno nectarine 7 large large Akatsuki, Fantasia 9 very large very large Mochizuki  2 2 QN Tree: vigor Tree: vigor Vigor of growth of Observation 3 weak weak Kawanakajimahakuto 3 branches 5 medium medium Hakuho, 6 Mizuno nectarine 7 strong strong Mochizuki, Nectared2  3 3(*) QN Tree: habit Tree: habit Shape of whole tree, Observation 1 upright upright Myojyo, Maygrand viewed from lateral 3 semi-upright semi-upright Akatsuki, Shuhou, side Hakuho 5 spreading spreading Ookubo, 5 Kawanakajimahakuto 7 drooping drooping 9 weeping weeping Terute Suimitsu  4 4 QN Flowering Flowering shoot: Thickness of center Measurement 3 thin thin shoot: thickness part of first-year mm 5 medium medium Ookubo, Hakuto, thickness (excluding grown shoot Hakuho brindlilles) 7 thick thick  5 5 QN Flowering Flowering shoot: Length of intemodes Measurement 1 very short very short Silver Prolific shoot: length length of or center part of cm 3 short short of intemodes intemodes first-year grown 5 medium medium Akatsuki, Okitsu, (excluding shoot Hakuho brindilles) 7 long long Maygrand 9 very long very long Mochizuki  6 6(*) QL Flowering Flowering shoot: Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent 1 shoot: anthocyanin of anthocyanin 9 present present anthocyanin coloration expression in coloration (excluding first-year flowering brindilles, side shoot, side away away from sun) from sun  7 7(*) QN Flowering Flowering shoot: Intensity of Observation 3 weak weak 3 shoot: intensity of anthocyanin 5 medium medium intensity of anthocyanin expression in a 7 strong strong anthocyanin coloration first-year flowering coloration (excluding shoot brindilles, side away from sun)  8 8(*) QN Flowering Flowering shoot: density of flower Measurement 3 sparse sparse Feicheng peach, shoot: density of buds on a first-year Yukimomo density of flower buds flowering shoot 5 medium medium Fantasia flower buds 7 dense dense Akatsuki, Ookubo, 7 Hakuto, Hakuho  9 9 QL Flowering Flowering shoot: General distribution Observation 1 isolated isolated shoot: general of flower buds on a 2 in groups of in groups of 2 general distribution of first-year flowering two or more two or more distribution of flowwer buds shoot flowwer buds (excluding brindilles, side away from sun) 10 10(*) QLG Flower: type Flower: type Flower type in Observation 1 showy showy Hakuto, Shuhou, 1 flowering time Fantasia, Hakuho 2 non showy non showy Myojyo, Nectared1 11 11(*) PQ Calyx: color Calyx: color of Color of inner side of Observation 1 greenish greenish Hakuho, Sotta nectarine 1 of inner side inner side calyx-tube in yellow yellow (opened flower, flowering time 2 orange orange Ougontou, Nishiki, before falling of Fantasia, Redheaven petals) 12 12(*) PQ Corolla: Corolla: Color of inner side of Observation 1 white white Zansetsushidare, predominant predominant petal in flowering Juseito (white), color color (inner side) time Nakate White 2 very light pink very light pink 3 light pink light pink Nakatsuhakuto, Mizuno nectarine, Hakuho 4 medium pink medium pink Hakuto, Nectared4 5 dark pink dark pink Sunago-wase, Fantasia 6 violet pink violet pink 7 red red Myojyo, Nectared1 13 13(*) PQ Petal: shape Petal: shape Shape of petal in Observation 1 narrow elliptic narrow elliptic Akatsuki, Tenshin, flowering time Nectared5 2 broad elliptic broad elliptic Kawanakajimahakuto, 2 Yuzora, Okitsu 3 round round Nishiki, Ohatsumomo 14 14(*) QN Petal: size Petal: size Size of petal in Measurement 1 very small very small Redheaven flowering time cm² 3 small small Tenshin 5 medium medium Hakuho, Akatsuki, 5 3.27 cm² 3.68 cm² Mochizuki 3.5 cm² 7 large large Ookubo, Akabanabanto 9 very large very large 15 15(*) QL Petals: Petals: number Number of petals per Measurement 1 5 five Akatsuki, Fantasia 1 number flower in flowering 2 6 or more more than five Nakate White, time Terute-beni 16 16 QN Stamens: Stamens: Relative postion of Observation 1 below below 1 position position stamers to petals in 2 same level same level compared to compared to flowering time 3 above above petals petals 17 17(*) QL Stigma: Stigma: Relative postion of Observation 1 below below Redheaven position position stigma to anthers in 2 same level same level Hakuho, Chiyohime compared to compared to flowering time 3 above above Tenshin 3 anthers anthers 18 18(*) QL Anthers: Anthers: pollen Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent Kawanakajimahakuto, 1 pollen of pollen in flowering Akizora time 9 present present Hakuho, Hikawahakuho, Akatsuki 19 19(*) QL Ovary: Ovary: Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent pubescence pubescence of pubescence on 9 present present 9 ovary in flowering time 20 20 QN Young shoot: Young shoot: Length of stipule on Measurement 3 short short length of length of stipule center part of mm 5 medium medium stipule first-year shoot 7 long long 21 21(*) QN Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Longitudinal length Measurement 3 short short Kawanakajimahakuto, 3 length length of a mature leaf on cm Mochizuki 13.2 cm center part of 5 medium medium Hakuto, Ookubo, Okitsu first-year shoot 16.61 cm (excluding petiole) 7 long long Akatsuki, Flavor Top 18.61 cm 22 22(*) QN Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Maximum width of Measurement 3 narrow narrow Mochizuki, 4 width width mature leaf on center cm 3.71 cm 3.94 cm Harrow Blood 3.35 cm part of first-year 5 medium medium Hakuho shoot 7 broad broad Akizora 23 23(*) QN Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Ratio of Measurement 3 small small Ohatsumomo, 4 ratio length/ ratio length/ length/maximum Okinawa, Akashidare 3.95 cm width width width of mature leaf 5 medium medium Ookubo, Redheaven, on center part of 5.02 cm 4.22 cm Hakuho first-year shoot 7 large large Silver Prolific 24 24 PQ Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Shape in Observation 1 concave concave 1 shape in cross shape in cross cross-section of 2 flat flat section section center part of mature 3 convex convex leaf on center part of first-year shoot 25 25 QL Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Recurvature of leaf Observation 1 absent absent Hakuho, Akatsuki 1 recurvature of recurvature of blade apex of mature 9 Present Present Redheaven apex apex leaf on center part of first-year shoot 26 26 PQ Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Shape of mature leaf Observation 1 acute acute Golden Proflific angle at base angle at base base on center part 2 approximately approximately Hakuho, Hakuto, of first-year shoot right angle right angle Early rawford 3 obtuse obtuse Elberta, Redheaven, 3 Shanghai, Shimizu 27 27 QN Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Size of angle at apex Observation 3 small small Golden Proflific, angle at apex angle at apex or mature leaf on kikumomo, Houkimomo center part of 5 medium medium Akatsuki, Hakuto, 5 first-year shoot Ookubo, Elberta 7 large large Salway, Tuskan, Independence, Akashidare, Sagamishidare 28 28 PQ Leaf blade: Leaf blade: Color of mature leaf Observation 1 greenish greenish Ougentou, Fantasia color color on center part of yellow yellow first-year shoot 2 green green New Yorker, Hakuho 2 3 purplish red purplish red Akame, Peach Rootstock Tsukuba 4 29 QL Leaf: red Leaf: red Red mid-vein on the Observation 1 absent absent mid-vein on mid-vein on lower side of mature 9 Present Present the lower side the lower side leaf on center part of first-year shoot 30 29 QN Petiole: Petiole: Length of petiole of Measurement 3 short short Elberta, Fantasia, 3 length length mature leaf on center mm Akashidare 0.6 cm part of first-year 5 medium medium Hakuho, Akatsuki, shoot 1.34 cm 1.09 cm Nectared7, Nectared8, Kanmomo No. 5 7 long long Swatow, Golden Glory, Juseito (red) 31 30(*) QLG Petiole: Petiole: Presence or absence Observation 1 Absent Absent nectaries nectaries of nectaries on 9 present present 9 petiole immediately after completion of extension of petiole 32 31(*) PQ(+) Petiole: Petiole: Shape of Nectaries Observation 1 round round Saotome, Sungrand shape of shape of on petiole 2 reniform reniform Ougontou, Fantasia 2 nectaries nectaries 33 32 QL Petiole: Petiole: Predominant number Measurement 1 2 two Kawanakajimahakuto, 1 predominant predominant of nectaries on Ougontou number of number of petiole 2 3 or more more than two Mochizuki, Nishiki, nectaries nectaries Ookubo 34 33(*) QN Fruit: size Fruit: size Weight of mature Measurement 1 very small very small Ohatsumomo fruit g 3 small small Saotome 5 medium medium Hikawahakuho, Gyosei 208.7 g 7 large large Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 247.4 g Ookubo 235.7 g 9 very large very large Abehakuto 35 34(*) PQ(+) Fruit: shape Fruit: shape (in Shape of mature Observation 1 broad oblate broad oblate Ooberibanto ventral view) fruit, viewed from 2 oblate oblate Gyosei, Nishiki, 2 front side (suture Nectared2 side) 3 round round Ookubo, Hiratsuka Red, Hakuho 4 ovate ovate Hikawahakuho, Fantasia 4 5 eliptic eliptic Early Sun Grand, Tenshin 36(*) 35 PQ Fruit: shape Fruit: shape Shape of fruit apex Observation 1 prominently prominently Tenshin, Harrow Blood of pistil end of pistil end of mature fruit pointed pointed 2 weakly pointed weakly pointed Sweet Gold 3 flat flat Chiyomaru, Kushigatahakuto 4 weakly weakly Saotome, Nishiki, depressed depressed Mochizuki 5 strongly strongly Hikawahakuho depressed depressed 37 36 QL(+) Fruit: Fruit: symmetry Symmetry of mature Observation 1 asymmetric asymmetric Ookubo, Aichihakuto synmetry (viewed from fruit, viewed from 2 symmetric symmetric Kawanakajimahakuto 2 pistil end) fruit apex 38 37 QN Fruit: Fruit: Depth of suture at Observation 3 weak weak Masahime, Fantasia 4 prominence of prominence of equalorial part of 5 medium medium Akatsuki, Hakuho, suture suture mature fruit Okitsu 7 strong strong Tenshin 39 38 QN(+) Fruit: depth of Fruit: depth of Depth of stalk cavity Measurement 3 shallow shallow Hakuho, Nishiki, stalk cavity stalk cavity of mature fruit cm Nunomewase, Nectared2 5 medium medium Sunago-wase, Okitsu 5 1.3 cm 1.3 cm 1.5 cm 7 deep deep Hakuto, Fantasia, Mochizuki 40 39 QN Fruit: width of Fruit: width of Width of stalk cavity Measurement 3 narrow narrow Tenshin, Flame Kist stalk cavity stalk cavity of mature fruit cm 5 medium medium Akatsuki, Fantasia, 5 Hakuho 7 broad broad Mochizuki, Flavor Top, Kanmomo No. 5 41 40(*) PQ Fruit: ground Fruit: ground Ground color of fruit Observation 1 green green color color skin of mature fruit 2 cream green cream green 3 greenish white greenish white New Yorker, Robin 3 4 cream white cream white Hakuho, Hakuto 5 cream cream 6 pink white pink white 7 greenish greenish yellow yellow 8 cream yellow cream yellow 9 yellow yellow Nakayama kinto, Fantasia 10 orange yellow orange yellow Nishiki, Oukihi 42 41 QL Fruit: over Fruit: over Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent Mochizuki color color of over color of fruit 9 present present 9 skin of mature fruit 43 42 PQ Fruit: hue of Fruit: hue of Hue of over color of Observation 1 orange red orange red over color over color fruit skin of mature 2 pink pink Hakushu, Shimizuhakuto fruit 3 pink red pink red 4 light red light red Silver Profific 5 medium red medium red Akatsuki, Mizuno nectarine 6 dark red dark red Kawanakajimahakuto, 6 Fantasia 44 43(*) PQ Fruit: pattern Fruit: pattern Pattern of over color Observation 1 solid flesh solid flesh Fantasia of over color of over color of fruit skin of mature 2 striped striped Akatsuki, Silver Star fruit 3 mottled mottled Hakuto, Silver Prolific, 3 Hakuho 4 marbled marbled Chiyomaru, Takeihakuho, Ookubo 45 44(*) QN Fruit: extent Fruit: extent Extent of over color Observation 1 absent or very absent or very Mochizuki of over color of over color on mature fruit small small 3 small small Hakuto, Silver Prolific, 5 medium medium Sotta nectarine 7 large large Akatsuki, Hiratsuka Red 7 9 very large very large Kawanakajimahakuto, Fantasia 46 45(*) QLG Fruit: Fruit: Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent Shuhou, Flavor Top pubescence pubescence of pubecence on 9 present present 9 surface of mature fruit 47 46(*) QN Fruit: density Fruit: density Density of Observation 1 very sparse very sparse or pubescence or pubescence puescence on 3 sparse sparse Saotome surface of mature 5 medium medium Hakuho, Hakuto, 5 fruit Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 dense dense Nishiki 9 very dense very dense 48 47 QN Fruit: Fruit: Thickness of fruit Measurement 3 thin thin Hakuho, Ookubo, thickness of thickness of skin of mature fruit Hakuto skin skin 5 medium medium 5 7 thick thick 49 48 QN Fruit: Fruit: Adherence of fruit Observation 1 absent or very absent or very adherence of adherence of skin to fruit flesh weak weak skin to flesh skin to flesh 3 weak weak Nunomewase, Kushigatahakuto, Hakuho 5 medium medium Akatsuki, 5 Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 strong strong Sweet Gold, Kanmomo No. 5 9 very strong very strong Manami, Odoroki 50 49(*) QN Fruit: Fruit: Firmness of fruit Measurement 1 very soft very soft Nunomewase, firmness of firmness of flesh at equatorial 3 soft soft Hakuho, Chiyomaru flesh flesh part of mature fruit 5 medium medium Akatsuki, 5 Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 firm firm Nishiki, Kanmomo No. 5 9 very firm very firm Odoroki, Manami 51 50(*) PQC Fruit: ground Fruit: ground ground color of fruit Observation 1 greenish white greenish white Nagano-yaseito (Late) color of flesh color of flesh flesh of mature fruit 2 white white Sotta nectarine 3 cream white cream white Hakuto, Yamatohakuto, 3 Hakuho 4 light yellow light yellow Mochizuki 5 yellow yellow Ougontou, Maygrand 6 orange yello orange yello Kanmomo No. 12 7 orange orange 8 red red 52 51(*) QN Fruit: Fruit: Intensity of Observation 1 absent or very absent or very Mochizuki 1 anthocyanin anthocyanin anthocyanin weakly weakly coloration coloration coloration at expressed expressed directly under directly under immediately under 2 weakly weakly Shimizuhakuto skin skin fruit skin of mature expressed expressed fruit 3 strongly strongly Yoshihime, expressed expressed Kawanakajimahakuto, Tenshin, Harrow Blood 53 52(*) QN Fruit: Fruit: Intensity of Observation 1 absent or very absent or very Mochizuki, Maygrand anthocyanin anthocyanin anthocyanin weakly weakly coloration of coloration of coloration in fruit expressed expressed flesh flesh flesh of mature fruit 2 weakly weakly Shimizuhakuto 2 expressed expressed Hiratsuka Red 3 strongly strongly Yoshihime, Okitsu, expressed expressed Tenshin, Harrow Blood 54 53(*) QN Fruit: Fruit: Intensity of Observation 1 absent or very absent or very Mochizuki anthocyanin anthocyanin anthocyanin weakly weakly coloration coloration coloration around expressed expressed around stone around stone stone of mature fruit 2 weakly weakly Shimizuhakuto, Nishiki, expressed expressed Okitsu 3 strongly strongly Hakuho, Akatsuki, 3 expressed expressed Kawanakajimahakuto, 55 54 QL Fruit: texture Fruit: texture Texture of fruit flesh Observation 1 not fibrous not fibrous Shimizuhakuto, 1 of the flesh of the flesh atequatorial part of Hiratsuka Red, Hakuto mature fruit 2 fibrous fibrous Ookubo, New Yorker 56 55 QN Fruit: Fruit: Degree of sweetness Measurement 3 low low Silver Prolific sweetness sweetness of fruit flesh at 5 medium medium Chiyohime, Nectared2, 5 equatorial part of Hakuho mature fruit 7 high high Akatsuki, Kawanakajimahakuto, Okitsu 57 56 QN Fruit: acidity Fruit: acidity Degree of acidity of Measurement 3 low low Hakuho, 3 fruit flesh at Kawanakajimahakuto, equatorial part of 5 medium medium Ougontou, Shuhou mature fruit 7 high high tenshin, Fantasia, Elberta, Redhaeaven 58 57(*) QN Stone: size Stone: size Relative wight of Measurement 3 small small Saotome, Nishiki compared to compared to stone to mature fruit 5 medium medium Hakuho, Akatsuki 5 fruit fruit (weight of 7 large large Ookubo, Flavor Top stone/whole weight of fruit) 59 58(*) Stone: shape Stone: shape Shape in lateral view Observation 1 oblate oblate in lateral view (in lateral view) (n0n-suture side) of 2 round round Saotome, Mochizuki stone of mature fruit 3 eliptic eliptic Hakuho, Akatsuki, 3 Shuhou 4 obovate obovate 60 59 QN Stone: Stone: Intensity of brown Observation 3 light light Chiyomaru, Maygrand intensity of intensity of color of stone of 5 medium medium Hakuho, Akatsuki, brown color brown color mature fruit Okitsu 7 dark dark Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 fantasia 61 60 PQ(+) Stone: relief Stone: relief Relief of surface of Observation 1 small pits small pits of surface of surface stone of mature fruit 2 large pits large pits 3 grooves grooves Shuhou, Fantasia 4 pits and pits and Hakuho 4 grooves grooves 62 61 QN Stone: Stone: Tendency of splitting Measurement 1 absent or absent or Kawanakajimahakuto, tendency of tendency of of stone of mature low low Mochizuki splitting splitting (at fruit 3 low low Akatsuki, Fantasia peak harvest) 5 medium medium Hikawahakuho, 5 Maygrand 7 high high Sunago-wase, Nectared1 9 very high very high 63 62(*) QLG Stone: Stone: Presence or absence Observation 1 absent absent adherence to adherence to of adherence of 9 present present 9 flesh flesh stone (or free stone) to fruit flesh of mature fruit 64 63 QN Stone: Stone: Degree of adherence Observation 3 weak weak Ougontou, Fantasia degree of degree of of stone (or free 5 medium medium Nunomewase, adherence to adherence to stone) to fruit flesh of Maygrand flesh flesh mature fruit 7 strong strong Akatsuki, Hakuto, 7 LeGrand, Hakuho 65 64 QN Time of leaf Time of leaf Timing of first leaf Observation 1 very early very early Okinawa bud burst bud burst bud burst 3 early early Nishiki, Flavor Top 5 medium medium Hakuho, Nectared 5 7 late late Ookubo, Hiratsuka Red 9 very late very late 66 65(*) QNG Time of Time of Time of beginning Observation 1 very early very early Okinawa, Coral beginning of beginning of of sequential 3 early early Nishiki, Shuhou, flowering flowering flowering Flavor Top 5 medium medium Akatsuki, Chiyohime 7 late late Hakuho, Mizuno nectarine 9 very late very late Kawanakajimahakuto, 9 67 66(*) QN Duration of Duration of Length of duration of Observation 3 short short flowering flowering flowering 5 medium medium 5 7 long long 68 67(*) QNG Time of Time of Timing of maturity of Observation 1 very early very early Hatsuotome, Fukuotome maturity for maturity for fruit for consumption 3 early early Sunago-wase, consumption consumption Hikawahakuho 5 medium medium Hakuho, Akatsuki, Ookubo 7 late late Kawanakajimahakuto, 7 Fantasia 9 very late very late Akizora, Nishio Gold 69 68 QN Tendency to Tendency to Tendency to Observation 1 absent or absent or preharvest preharvest preharvest weak weak drop drop drop 3 weak weak Akatsuki, 3 Kawanakajimahakuto, Shuhou 5 medium medium Akizora, Mochizuki Okitsu 7 strong strong 9 very strong very strong 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C. K. Schneid.) denominated ‘SWEET REI’, as illustrated and described herein. 